Tessera Materials

Opening Prayer

Creator of the universe,
you made the world in beauty,
and restore all things in glory
through the victory of Jesus Christ.
We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured
by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed,
the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace,
to the glory of your name. Amen.

Scripture

Acts 2:14,22-32 NIV
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [22] “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. [23] This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. [24] But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. [25] David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. [26] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, [27] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. [28] You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ [29] “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. [30] But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. [31] Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. [32] God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

Reflection & Discussion

God raised Jesus. Jesus did not raise himself. It may seem like a small point, but it carries profound meaning.

We all possess strength, will, and creativity. Yet for the hope of the resurrection to truly take root within us—and to bring about new life and possibility—God must act from beyond us.

Living as Easter people, marked by resurrection hope, trust, and self-emptying love in a world still shaped by Good Friday experiences, is no simple journey. At times, it can feel as though we must conjure up enough strength and faith just to keep going. Or we check out because we simply don't have it in us any longer. But God frees us from these burdens. We are not required to manufacture hope or strength on our own. Instead, God delights in giving resurrection hope, trust, and love to those who recognize their need and receive these gifts as they continue forward in a world still marked by Good Friday realities.

• Share a way of life you are discovering—one in which you receive the strength only God can give to keep moving forward in resurrection hope, trust, and love. What does this way of life look like? What practices sustain it? What habits or mindsets have you had to leave behind?

Closing Prayer

Blessed are you,
O God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
in whom we receive the legacy of a living hope,
born again not only from his death
but also from his resurrection.
May we who have received forgiveness of sins
through the Holy Spirit live to set others free,
until, at length, we enter the inheritance
that is imperishable and unfading,
where Christ lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit. Amen.

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